List of counterintuitive truths
A counterintuitive proposition is one that does not seem likely to be true when assessed using intuition, common sense, or gut feelings.[1]
Scientifically discovered or mathematically proven objective truths are often called counterintuitive when intuition, emotions, and other cognitive processes outside of deductive rationality interpret them to be wrong. However, the subjective nature of intuition limits the objectivity of what to call counterintuitive because what is counterintuitive for one may be intuitive for another. This might occur in instances where intuition changes with knowledge. For instance, many aspects of quantum mechanics or general relativity may sound counterintuitive to a layman, while they may be intuitive to a particle physicist.
Flawed intuitive understanding of a problem may lead to counterproductive behavior with undesirable outcomes. In some such cases, counterintuitive policies may then produce a more desirable outcome.[2] This can lead to conflicts between those who hold deontological and consequentialist ethical perspectives on those issues.
The following is a list of counterintuitive propositions that are actually true, despite being counterintuitive to the average, reasonable person.
Science and technology[edit]
- The Michelson-Morley experiment sought to measure the velocity of the Earth through the aether as it revolved around the Sun. The result was that it has no aether velocity at all. Relativity theory later explained the results, replacing the conventional notions of aether and separate space, time, mass, and energy with a counterintuitive four-dimensional non-Euclidean universe.[3]
Mathematics[edit]
- In a room of only 23 people, there is a 50% chance that at least one pair shares the same birthday.[citation needed]
Linguistics[edit]
Etymology[edit]
- The words rage and outrage are not etymologically related.[citation needed] Outrage entered the English language as oultrage, from ultra and age. The modern spelling was influenced by the mis-analysis of the word as a combination of out and rage.
References[edit]
- ↑ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/counter+intuitive "Counterintuitive: –adjective. Counter to what intuition would lead one to expect: The direction we had to follow was counterintuitive—we had to go north first before we went south." Retrieved: November 9, 2010
- ↑ New Scientist, July 2005
- ↑ "The Michelson-Morley Experiment". November 9, 2010.
See also[edit]
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